Specialized sports and recreational programs for people with disabilities are generally under-supported and unavailable in most areas. Butte County is characterized, for example, by low per capita income ($17,517)*, high unemployment (9.10%)* and a depressed tax base. These constraints, combined with substantial recent reductions in state funding for rehabilitation programs make support even more vital.

The five components that set Ability First apart from other camps are:

1. One of the only residential disabled youth sports camp in the US
2. Program serves 46+ youth, who otherwise would not have such an opportunity
3. Offers a unique training for California State University, Chico students who are going into the theraputic recreation field
4. Ofers an opportunity for special needs youth to work with others who share similar challenges and with youth without disabilities
5. Coaches are current and former national and world champion disabled athletes in their respected sports

* U.S. Census Bureau, 2001

If you would like to speak to someone about making a possible donation please email Chuck Nadeau, the Development Director for Ability first at:
chuck@abilityfirstsports.org

To download the Ability First Brochure, right click save as and save it to your computer:
http://www.abilityfirstsports.org/donor/Ability1stBrochure.pdf